NASHVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston-PHOTO ABOVE) passed legislation that increases the middle college scholarship from $1,250 to $2,000 per semester for eligible full-time students. A total of $643,500 was appropriated for the legislation in the FY 2023 budget adopted by the General Assembly.

Roughly half of Tennessee’s community colleges participate in the program, which allows eligible high school juniors to attend college while in high school. If they complete the program, when they graduate from high school they’ll also receive an associate’s degree. There are currently about 400 students receiving the scholarship in Tennessee.

Currently, students who elect to go to middle college must forego the Tennessee Promise scholarship, which helps high school graduates cover postsecondary institution tuition costs. That leaves middle college participants having to pay their own way through the program.

“Participation in the middle college program should not disqualify students from the Tennessee Promise. That’s why I’m raising the middle college scholarship so it’s equivalent with the Tennessee Promise,” said Sen. Yager. “The middle college program gives some of Tennessee’s top students a leg up on their education and positively changes their lives. I’m proud to have passed legislation that bolsters this successful program, and I thank Rep. Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro) for his support in the House.” (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/28/2022-1PM)

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